Committee approves ATAX funding package, pencils $600,000 for waterfront and $72,000 for parks feasibility study

The Beaufort County ATAX committee voted to approve a package of tourism funding recommendations covering more than 30 applicants, directing staff to prepare write‑ups and forward the recommendations to the finance committee. The package, read aloud by the chair before a collective vote, included a $600,000 pencil toward a city waterfront promenade and a multi‑part award schedule for festivals, museums and trail projects.

Committee members emphasized conditions and coordination rather than unconditional grants. As one member summarized during deliberations on the parks study: "My recommendation is 60,000 and they collaborate" (speaker 1). The committee also discussed requiring applicants to work with the CVB and to provide clearer metrics on out‑of‑town visitation before awards are finalized. Several members recorded recusals on specified items before the final motion. The motion to approve the recommendations as presented was put and carried by voice vote; the transcript records a unanimous "Aye" with recusals noted but does not provide individual tallies or recorded no votes.

The committee directed staff to include applicant‑specific conditions and requests for additional information in the award letters and to provide the council packet and AIS materials on the schedule agreed in the meeting. The recommendations will be presented to the finance committee for consideration and then to county council as required.